You just touched down. Your bags are in hand, the humidity of the airplane cabin is finally fading, and now you’re staring at a arrivals board trying to figure out how to actually get to your hotel. Most people assume that because it’s called "London Gatwick," it’s, well, in London.
It isn't.
If you’re standing in the South Terminal and expecting to see Big Ben out the window, you’re going to be disappointed. The distance from Gatwick Airport to central London is roughly 28 to 30 miles (45 to 48 km) depending on whether you’re measuring to Victoria Station or Charing Cross. It sounds like a short hop, but in the world of UK travel, those 30 miles can feel like five minutes or two hours.
Getting this wrong can ruin your first day.
I’ve seen travelers book a "quick" Uber only to realize they’re stuck on the M23 for 90 minutes while the meter climbs toward three figures. If you want the short version: you’re about 30 miles south of the city, located near a town called Crawley in West Sussex. But how you bridge that gap matters way more than the physical mileage.
The Reality of the Journey
Distance is a funny thing in England. On paper, 28 miles is nothing. In reality? You're crossing the green belt and navigating the South Circular.
If you go by train, you're looking at a 30 to 45-minute journey.
If you go by car, honestly, just flip a coin. On a clear Sunday morning, you might make it in an hour. During Friday afternoon rush hour? Godspeed. You could be looking at 1 hour and 45 minutes of staring at the bumper of a Vauxhall Corsa.
Breaking Down the Numbers
- By Train: 24 to 27 miles of track. Fastest time: 28-30 minutes.
- By Road: 28 to 35 miles depending on your specific London postcode. Average time: 75 minutes.
- By Coach: Roughly 43km. Average time: 1 hour 40 minutes (though I've seen it take longer).
How Far is Gatwick Airport from London via the Gatwick Express?
This is the "premium" way to do it. It’s a non-stop service that runs between the airport and London Victoria.
People love to debate if it's worth the extra cash. It takes exactly 30 minutes. It leaves every 15 minutes. It’s reliable, sure, but here’s the kicker: it’s often the exact same speed as the regular Southern trains that stop just once or twice.
You’re basically paying for the "Express" brand and the guaranteed luggage space. If you’re a family of four with eight suitcases, pay the premium. If you’re a solo traveler with a backpack, save your tenner.
The Secret "Better" Train: Thameslink
A lot of tourists ignore Thameslink because the name doesn't have "Express" in it. Big mistake.
While the Gatwick Express only goes to Victoria (West London), Thameslink cuts right through the heart of the city. It stops at London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon, and St Pancras International.
If your hotel is near the British Museum or you’re catching the Eurostar, taking the train to St Pancras is infinitely smarter than going to Victoria and then wrestling with the Tube. The distance is a bit further—roughly 45 minutes of travel time—but it saves you a secondary transfer.
Price-wise, it’s usually the winner too. You can tap in with your contactless card or phone for about £13-£15. It’s basically half the price of the Express for a more useful route.
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Driving: The 28-Mile Gamble
Look, I wouldn't drive this unless I had no other choice.
Gatwick is linked directly to the M23 at Junction 9, which then feeds into the M25 (London’s infamous orbital motorway). The M25 is essentially a giant, circular parking lot.
If you take a taxi or an Uber, expect to pay anywhere from £70 to £120. And don't forget the £6 drop-off or pick-up fee that Gatwick charges every vehicle entering the terminal forecourt. Most drivers will just add that to your bill at the end.
What about the Congestion Charge?
If your destination is in the very center of London, you also need to factor in the Congestion Charge and potentially the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) fee. If your vehicle isn't compliant, that "cheap" ride just got very expensive.
Most people don't realize that Gatwick is actually further south than Heathrow, which sits about 15 miles west of the center. Gatwick is the "countryside" option, even if it doesn't feel like it when you're in the terminal.
The Budget Move: National Express
If you’re counting every penny, the coach is your best friend.
The distance is the same, but the speed is... leisurely. National Express and FlixBus run services that start as low as £7. You’ll sit in a big leather seat, you might get Wi-Fi that actually works, and you’ll see some of the South London suburbs you’d otherwise miss.
It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach Victoria Coach Station. If you land at 2:00 AM when the trains are infrequent, this is a lifesaver. Just don't book this if you have a dinner reservation in Soho two hours after you land. You won't make it.
Getting from Terminal to Terminal
Gatwick has two terminals: North and South.
The train station is in the South Terminal.
If you land in the North Terminal, you have to take the free shuttle (a little automated monorail) to the South Terminal to get the train. It takes two minutes and runs every few minutes, but it adds to your "door-to-door" time.
Keep this in mind when you're calculating how far Gatwick is from London—you’re not "there" until you’re on the platform, and the walk from your gate to the train can easily take 15-20 minutes.
Practical Advice for Your Arrival
- Don't buy paper tickets. Seriously. Just use your Apple Pay, Google Pay, or a contactless debit card at the yellow gates. It’s cheaper and saves you the "where do I buy a ticket?" panic.
- Check the strikes. UK rail strikes are a real thing. Always check the National Rail website 24 hours before you fly. If there’s a strike, your only option will be the coach or a very expensive taxi.
- Avoid "Minicabs" at the terminal. Only use the official taxi rank or a pre-booked service like Uber or Bolt. Unlicensed drivers hanging around arrivals are bad news.
- London Bridge is often faster than Victoria. If you’re heading to the South Bank or the City, the 28-minute train to London Bridge is the best-kept secret in London travel.
Gatwick is far enough to be a nuisance but close enough that it’s usually the cheapest way to fly into the UK. Just give yourself a 90-minute buffer for the journey into the city, and you'll be fine.
Next Steps for Your Trip
If you want to save money, check the Thameslink schedule instead of the Gatwick Express. It offers more stops and lower fares. If you're traveling with a group of four or more, compare the price of an UberXL against four train tickets; sometimes the car actually wins on price when you split it.